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SMITHVILLE — The entrance to Vernon L. Richards Riverbend Park soon will have new signage thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with an additional $25,000 in matching funds from Smithville’s municipal government, will pay for a large lighted sign at the park’s entrance.
“Riverbend Park is a real jewel, and the new sign will increase visibility by making the entrance easier to find,” said Robert Tamble, Smithville city manager. “The park has so much to offer to both local community members and out-of-town travelers. We believe this sign will help boost awareness and lead to even more use of the park and its facilities.”
Riverbend Park is located off S.H. 71 and sits along the banks of the lower Colorado River. The park has overnight camping sites, baseball fields, playscapes, picnic areas, a lighted fishing pier, an 18-hole disc golf course, a pavilion and other recreational amenities. The park also hosts the Smithville Jamboree, Little League games and various other local functions throughout the year.
Tamble said this project would have stayed on Smithville’s to-do list without the additional funding from the grant. Now, the project is at the top of the list and soon will be completed.
“LCRA’s community programs have made such a positive impact on our city,” Tamble said. “We are very fortunate to have a conscientious organization like LCRA in our corner.”
The community grant is one of 46 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which aims to help volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Smithville’s municipal government is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at http://www.lcra.org/cdpp.
